United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service NRCS Programs Applicable to Brownfields Natural Resources Conservation Service Stephanie Wilsen Resource Conservation & Development Program RC&D Coordinator, Patriot RC&D Area

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 History and Mission NRCS is a Federal agency within USDA Works with landowners to conserve natural resources on private & public lands Works with landowners to conserve natural resources on private & public lands formed in 1935 as response to great dust storms (Soil Conservation Service) formed in 1935 as response to great dust storms (Soil Conservation Service) Employs soil conservationists, conservation planners, & soil scientists Employs soil conservationists, conservation planners, & soil scientists

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 Great dust storm of 1934

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 Technical assistance with soils NRCS employees can: Conduct soil assessments Conduct soil assessments Plan for restoration phase Plan for restoration phase Recommend soil structure alterations Recommend soil structure alterations Work on conservation easements Work on conservation easements

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 Assistance (Beyond Soils) Land use planning in states with urban initiatives (varies by state) Land use planning in states with urban initiatives (varies by state) Conservation easements Conservation easements Vegetation to stabilize bare soil Vegetation to stabilize bare soil Riparian buffers keep contaminated waters from flooding or eroding soil Riparian buffers keep contaminated waters from flooding or eroding soil

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 Plant Materials Centers 27 centers across the nation 27 centers across the nation Conduct research on plant materials & study phytoremediation Conduct research on plant materials & study phytoremediation

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 RC&D Program RC&D = Resource Conservation & Development Program RC&D = Resource Conservation & Development Program Established in 1962; covers 80% of US Established in 1962; covers 80% of US Works through non-profit RC&D Councils made up of local people & organizations Works through non-profit RC&D Councils made up of local people & organizations Builds communities through environmental & community projects Builds communities through environmental & community projects

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 RC&D Program (continued) Each Council has different projects Each Council has different projects 1 or 2 NRCS staff members 1 or 2 NRCS staff members Councils have to raise all the money for their projects Councils have to raise all the money for their projects $6 raised for every $1 from USDA $6 raised for every $1 from USDA

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 RC&D Program (continued) Projects are funded by grants, partnerships, & traditional fundraising mechanisms Projects are funded by grants, partnerships, & traditional fundraising mechanisms NRCS staff provides technical assistance for preparing grant proposals & project management NRCS staff provides technical assistance for preparing grant proposals & project management Councils got $9 million in grants from EPA alone in 2006 Councils got $9 million in grants from EPA alone in 2006

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 Community Assistance Programs Varies by state Varies by state Massachusetts Community Assistance Partnership Massachusetts Community Assistance Partnership Connecticut’s Community Team gives technical assistance to non- agricultural landowners Connecticut’s Community Team gives technical assistance to non- agricultural landowners

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 Other Urban Initiatives Specific legislation has periodically been passed to create urban programs. Urban Restoration Partnership existed from Urban Restoration Partnership existed from Provided $16 million in 13 under- served urban areas Provided $16 million in 13 under- served urban areas Joint effort of 7 Federal agencies Joint effort of 7 Federal agencies

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 Other NRCS Programs There are 2 programs that provide some limited opportunities for Brownfields projects: WHIP & WRP Projects are ranked according to selected environmental needs Projects are ranked according to selected environmental needs Programs may provide help with initial planning or final restoration phases of brownfields projects Programs may provide help with initial planning or final restoration phases of brownfields projects

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 Other Programs (continued) Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP): to develop & improve wildlife habitat, mostly on private land Wildlife Habitat Incentives Program (WHIP): to develop & improve wildlife habitat, mostly on private land Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP): offers landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, & enhance wetlands on their property Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP): offers landowners the opportunity to protect, restore, & enhance wetlands on their property

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 Other Programs (continued) WHIP recently provided $196,000 to create a coastal riparian buffer for the Save the Bay Center in Providence, Rhode Island WHIP recently provided $196,000 to create a coastal riparian buffer for the Save the Bay Center in Providence, Rhode Island The Center is a brownfields project The Center is a brownfields project Funds were used in the restoration phase Funds were used in the restoration phase

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 Check the website below, or call your local USDA Service Center. National Urban Conservation Community Assistance:

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 Program Resources NRCS RC&D information page: NRCS RC&D information page: National Association of RC&D Councils: National Association of RC&D Councils: Massachusetts Community Assistance Partnership: masscap.html Massachusetts Community Assistance Partnership: masscap.html

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 Soils Resources Soils maps online: Soils maps online: Land Evaluation & Site Assessment: Land Evaluation & Site Assessment: Urban Soils: Urban Soils: Urban Soils Primer: Urban Soils Primer:

United States Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service Cash in the Attic November 14, 2006 Brownfields 2006 For more information: Stephanie Wilsen RC&D Coordinator USDA-NRCS 319 Littleton Road, Suite 302 Westford, MA Phone: , ext. 108